Welcome, fellow adventurers, to the heart of Australia’s Red Centre! Join us on a thrilling 9-day Alice Springs to Uluru road trip. This is the best travel itinerary for Central Australia, featuring a road trip we think is one of the best in the Northern Territory.
We’ve also included details like top attractions to see along the way, where to stop and take a break, and the best campsites for an overnight adventure. Let’s hit the road together and discover the best of Central Australia.
Want to know all about planning your trip to the NT? Scroll to the bottom of the post to see which site locals use to book hotels, where trusted travelers book tours, and how to find the best flight deals. Or Click Here to be taken there now.
Alice Springs to Uluru Road Trip Route
Day 1: Alice Springs to Palm Valley (138km, 2hrs)
Our adventure begins in Alice Springs. We kicked things off by setting up camp at Discovery Parks, a perfect base to stock up on supplies and prepare for the epic journey ahead. With our 120 Series Prado fully loaded, we were ready to hit the road.
The road west from Alice Springs led us to Hermannsburg via Lara Pinta Drive, a crucial part of our Alice Springs to Uluru road trip. This scenic drive spans 100 kilometres and provides a glimpse of the beautiful landscapes to come. Just west of Hermannsburg, we took a turn towards Palm Valley, a remote paradise nestled along the Finke River.
The journey to Palm Valley itself covers approximately 18 kilometres along a 4WD track, but it’s more thrilling than challenging. As we ventured deeper into Palm Valley, the track became a proper 4WD adventure. It was so thrilling that Em even took the wheel!
To ensure a smooth ride, we dropped our tire pressure to 30 psi on our trusty Prado. This simple adjustment made all the difference.
Day 1: Continued…
In Hermannsburg, we explored the Historic Precinct, a poignant reminder of the area’s history as a Lutheran mission. We also stopped by the Hermannsburg Potters, where we admired the craftsmanship of the local artisans.
In Palm Valley, we followed the Arankaia walk, a 2-kilometre journey that took us through stunning landscapes and took about an hour to complete. The Mpulungkinya Walk, listed as a 2-hour return trek, ended up taking us just 1 hour and 40 minutes. We couldn’t resist stopping frequently to savour the scenery.
If there’s one thing I can recommend, it’s the Mpulungkinya Walk. The sheer beauty of this place is beyond words.
As the sun began to set, we made our way to the Palm Valley Campground. Site 18, if you can snag it, offers stunning views and costs $12 per person per night. The facilities included toilets and fire pits, but unfortunately, the showers weren’t operational during our visit.
In terms of food and fuel, you’ll need to plan ahead as there are no provisions available here.
Day 2: Palm Valley to Boggy Hole (Approx. 60km, Approx. 2 hours)
Leaving Palm Valley behind, we retraced our steps along the Larapinta Drive to connect with the Finke 4WD route, the gateway to our next adventure: Boggy Hole.
Before leaving Palm Valley, we couldn’t resist the temptation of the Kalarranga Walk, a 2.5-kilometre trek that rewarded us with breathtaking sunrise views over the sculpted rocks. It was the perfect way to start the day.
As we continued our journey to Boggy Hole, we enjoy the scenery of this remote region offers. The drive was approximately 32 kilometres along a 4WD track, taking about 1.5 hours.
Boggy Hole lived up to its name, offering a tranquil and secluded campsite. Here, you can try your hand at fishing or simply savor the serenity of this remote haven.
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Day 3: Boggy Hole to Yulara (Uluru) (Approx. 7hrs, Approx. 300km)
Next, we enjoyed a full day of driving. Our ultimate destination? The iconic Uluru, a must-see stop on any Northern Territory road trip itinerary.
We continued along the Finke 4WD track until we reached the ‘southern gate,’ which marks the exit of the National Park, covering about 20 kilometres. From there, we headed south and west for approximately 60 kilometres, a journey of about 3 hours, until we reached Ernest Giles Road.
Our journey continued along Luritja Road and then the Lasseter Highway, covering approximately 211 kilometres over 3.5 hours. This was a long day of driving, but the excitement of reaching Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park kept us going.
Day 3: Continued…
We couldn’t resist making a short detour off the Finke 4WD track to visit Illamurta Springs. This secluded oasis added an extra hour to our trip, but the 30-minute walk to reach the water was worth every moment.
Our arrival at Yulara was the moment we had eagerly anticipated: our first glimpse of Uluru, especially at sunset.
To make the most of our time here, we settled in at the Yulara Campground. While it may be a bit pricier at $153 for 3 nights (for 2 people), it offers everything you need and more. Showers, toilets, washing machines, and a camp kitchen provided all the comforts of home.
If you’re looking for provisions, you’ll find IGA, restaurants, and even fuel, although be prepared for higher prices, with diesel costing $2.80 in May 2023.
Day 4-5: Exploring Yulara and Uluru
Our 3-night stay at Yulara allowed us to immerse ourselves in the wonders of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, a key part of the road trip itinerary.
Our adventure began with the Ranger Guided Mala Walk, a true highlight of our visit. This 2-kilometre walk provided us with insights into the history and cultural significance of the Anangu people.
Another must-do experience was the Bush Tucker Experience and talk. It’s a chance to savour traditional and locally harvested ‘tucker’ while learning about the rich culinary traditions of the area.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we made our way to the Sunset Viewing Platform on the other side of Uluru. The colours and atmosphere were magical.
Yulara Campground featured lots of amenities. Showers, toilets, washing machines, a camp kitchen, and more made our visit comfortable and convenient.
Day 6: Yulara to Kings Canyon/Gintys Lookout (Approx. 330km)
We hit the road to Kings Canyon, a destination about three hours away.
The highlight of our Kings Canyon visit was the Rim Walk, a rewarding hike that spans 6 kilometres and takes about 3 hours to complete. The stunning scenery along the way left us in awe.
Our campsite for the night was at Gintys Lookout, offering free camping with stunning sunset views. You can also camp at King Canyon Discovery Parks, where you’ll find fuel and a restaurant.
Day 7: Ginty’s Lookout to Ormiston Gorge (Approx. 210km)
We continued our journey along the Mereenie Loop. Goose Bluff is a conservation reserve that bore witness to a 600-metre comet impact over 140 million years ago.
A refreshing swim awaited us at Redbank Gorge, a 1.5-kilometre walk away.
We also visited Glen Helen Gorge, though we didn’t stay long. The campsite looked inviting, but our destination was Ormiston Gorge, where we planned to tackle the Pound Walk the next day.
Our campsite at Ormiston Gorge had hot showers, toilets, and a kiosk where we could pay for the campsite and grab snacks like chips, ice cream, and coffee.
Day 8: Ormiston Gorge to Point Howard Lookout (Approx. 100km)
Eastward along Namatjira Drive, our journey continued. We made several stops along the way to explore the unique attractions this region had to offer.
Ochre Pits, located 20 kilometres from Ormiston Gorge, showcased earthy ochre colours that have been used by Indigenous Australians for centuries.
Serpentine Gorge was another stop, and although we didn’t camp here, it’s an option for those looking for a peaceful waterhole.
Ellery Creek is a serene waterhole for swimming and perfect for cooling off after a day of exploration.
Our campsite for the night was at Point Howard Lookout, and best of all, it was free. There are no facilities here, but the experience is worth it.
Day 9: Point Howard to Alice Springs (Approx. 88km)
The final leg of our journey brought us back to Alice Springs via Namatjira and Larapinta Drives.
We made a few more stops. Standley Chasm, with its $12 admission fee, offered a 1.2-kilometre walk into the chasm. It was an easy and wheelchair-accessible path.
Our last stop was Simpsons Gap, known for its stunning natural beauty. A short walk into the Gap allowed us to soak in the tranquility of this remarkable place.
We concluded our road trip adventure back in Alice Springs, where we settled into Alice Springs Discovery Parks. This accommodation option at $40 per night offered everything we needed after days of bush camping. Showers, toilets, a camp kitchen, washing machines, food vans (different each night), a pool, inflatable pillows, and various activities for kids—it had it all. We were even pleasantly surprised to find a gym!
Food and fuel options were abundant, as we were back in civilisation.
Alice Springs to Uluru - Complete Itinerary
Day 1: Alice Springs to Palm Valley – 138kms, 2hrs
Directions: |
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Things to do: | Hermannsburg:
Walks In Palm Valley:
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Campsite: | Palm Valley Campground – Book site 18 if you can! |
Facilities: | Toilets, Fire Pits, Showers (weren’t working when we were there) |
Food/Fuel: | NO FOOD NO FUEL |
Day 2: Palm Valley to Boggy Hole – Approx. 60kms, Approx. 2 hrs
Directions: |
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Things to do: |
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Campsite: |
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Facilities: | NONE – full bush camping |
Food/Fuel: | Neither |
Day 3: Boggy Hole to Yulara (Uluru) – Approx. 300kms, Approx. 7hrs
Directions: |
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Things to do: |
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Campsite: | Yulara Campgound $153 for 3 nights (for 2 people) |
Facilities: |
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Food/Fuel: |
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Yulara Day 4
Directions: |
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Things to do: | VISIT ULURU: OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
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Campsite: | Yulara Campground |
Facilities: |
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Food/Fuel: |
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Yulara Day 5
Directions: | As previous |
Things to do: |
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Campsite: | Yulara Campground |
Facilities: |
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Food/Fuel: |
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Day 6: Yulara to Kings Canyon/Gintys Lookout – Approx. 330kms
Directions: |
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Things to do: |
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Campsite: |
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Facilities: | NONE – full bush camping |
Food/Fuel: |
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Day 7: Ginty’s Lookout & Ormiston Gorge – Approx. 210 kms, 2.5 hrs
Directions: |
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Things to do: |
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Campsite: | Ormiston Gorge $20 for us both |
Facilities: |
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Food/Fuel: | Neither – just kiosk snacks – chips/ice-cream/coffee etc |
Day 8: Ormiston Gorge & Point Howard Lookout – Approx. 100kms, 1.5 hrs
Directions: |
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Things to do: |
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Campsite: | Point Howard Lookout – STUNNING SUNSET VIEW! FREE |
Facilities: | NONE – full bush camping |
Food/Fuel: | Neither |
Day 9: Point Howard to Alice Springs – Approx. 88kms, 50mins
Directions: |
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Things to do: |
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Campsite: | $40 per night |
Facilities: |
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Food/Fuel: | Everything – we are back in civilisation! |
Our 9-day Alice Springs to Uluru road trip through the Red Centre was nothing short of epic. The blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and remote adventure left a mark on us. We hope this journey has inspired you to go on your own adventure in the Northern Territory.
Cover photo by @un_professional_travellers
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Heading to the NT? Here’s What You Need to Get Started
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re from Australia or across the globe, it’s a great idea to get insurance to cover unexpected accidents or medical emergencies. Cover More is our favourite travel insurance provider to give us the peace of mind while heading to the outback.
Flights
For the best deals on flights, we recommend using Trip.com. It’s super easy to compare prices across different airlines and booking sites. I always find great options for my trips, and it saves me so much time and money!
Hotels
We always recommend using Booking.com for hotels. They have a variety of accommodation options and great filters to help you find the perfect place for your trip to the NT. With amazing deals, a great loyalty program, and the largest selection of hotels and rentals, it’s our favourite place to book rooms.
Tours
Tours, either multi-day, half-day, or private excursions, are a great way to experience the NT. Viator has a great selection of activities to help you travel the Territory and learn from locals.
Car Rental
If you're looking to rent a car to explore the Territory on your own, we suggest checking out Budget. It’s so easy to compare prices and find the best option from their huge selection of cars. Or try Rentalcars.com to see cars from all rental companies in the NT.
National Parks Pass
If you live outside the NT and plan on visiting national parks, you'll need a Parks pass. Choose from a day pass, a 2-week pass, 12-month pass, or family pass at NT.gov.au. If you're an NT resident be sure you bring your NT driver licence or proof of residency. Note: Park Passes are not accepted at Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Purchase those from Parks Australia.
Sim Card
If you're travelling and need a reliable connection, We'd recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo. Choose from data only or cellular connection. It’s super convenient and helps you stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant fees to your wireless provider.
